公开(公告)号：US20240123849A1

公开(公告)日：2024-04-18

申请号：US18276521

申请日：2022-02-09

Applicant: Gravitricity Ltd

Inventor： Martin Wright ,  Peter Fraenkel

IPC: B60L53/30 ,  B60L53/53 ,  B60L53/54 ,  B60L53/56 ,  F03G3/00 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04082 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H02J15/00

CPC classification number: B60L53/30 ,  B60L53/53 ,  B60L53/54 ,  B60L53/56 ,  F03G3/094 ,  H01M8/04029 ,  H01M8/04089 ,  H01M8/04201 ,  H02J15/00 ,  H01M2250/10

Abstract: An energy storage system having a first, gravity-based energy storage sub-system having at least one weight movable between a first upper position and a second lower position defining a vertical displacement and a second energy storage sub-system comprising a vessel for storage of a pressurized fuel gas has an electrical input/output connection with an external power system and at least one of: a fuel gas inlet for supply of a fuel gas to the energy storage system from an external fuel gas supply or network; and a fuel gas outlet for supply of a fuel gas from the energy storage system to an external fuel gas user or network, and/or has at least one of: a gas to power conversion arrangement for converting energy from fuel gas to electrical energy for storage in the first energy storage sub-system or export to an external power system via the electrical output connection; and a power to gas conversion arrangement for converting electrical energy to a fuel gas for storage in the second energy storage sub-system or export to an external fuel gas user or network via a fuel gas outlet, where a control system is configured to control cooperative or complimentary operation of the first and second energy storage sub-systems according to the requirements of the external power system and/or external fuel gas network or user. The system as defined enable energy storage (charge) and discharge of the system linked to an external power system such as an electricity grid to store energy using a gravity-based storage arrangement to make use of its rapid response time and rapid charge/discharge speed, while providing an enhanced capacity of energy storage.